Delegation of mainland university students, teachers wraps up Taiwan visit

TAIPEI, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities on Thursday wrapped up their nine-day visit to Taiwan.

They set off for Taiwan on Nov. 27 and visited universities, historical sites, scenic spots, as well as sports, sci-tech and cultural venues on the island, widely engaging with locals throughout the trip.

The delegation made the trip at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation and was led by Qiu Yong, secretary of the Communist Party of China Tsinghua University Committee.

Speaking at the farewell dinner on Wednesday, Qiu commented on how the mainland students and teachers felt both the deep rapport between compatriots on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and the unique charm of the island.

He called for more opportunities for young people on both sides of the Strait to learn from each other, further efforts to strengthen the spiritual bond connecting mainland and Taiwan compatriots through Chinese cultural traditions, and enhanced cross-Strait educational cooperation.

"In the course of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, compatriots on either side of the Strait cannot be absent," Qiu said.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, saw off the delegation at the airport on Thursday and said the mainland students and teachers had received Taiwan residents' heartfelt welcome wherever they went.

Calling youth exchanges the foundation of cross-Strait relations in the future, Hsiao said the foundation will carry on and continue to promote such exchanges across the Strait.